Ratchet-handle for post-hole augers.



W SCHAD.

RATCHET HANDLE FOR POST HOLE AUGERS.

APPLICATION FILED MAV 12. 1915.

Patented Mar. 21,1916. 1

WALTER SGI-IAD, OF HUDSON, ILLINOIS.

RATCI-IET-HANDLE FOR POST-HOLE AUGERS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar, 21, 1916.

Application filed May 12, 1915. Serial No. 27,631.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, \VALTER SoHAD, a citizen of the United States ofAmerica, residing at Hudson, in the county of McLean and State ofIllinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Ratchet-Handles for Postllole Angers, of which the following is a specification,reference being had therein to the accompanying drawing.

This invention relates to a ratchet handle for post hole angers and hasfor its principal object the production of a device which is so formedas to allow the use thereof adjacent the side wall of a structure orwhich may be used in the open, as desired.

Another object of this invention is the production of a sectional handlefor post hole angers, this handle being pr vided with a ratchet andbeing so formed as to be used in the ordinary manner of an anger handle.or which may be used adjacent the side wall of a structure, in whichcase one section of the handle remains inoperative.

Another object of this invention is the production of a ratchet handlefor post hole angers. this handle being provided with a pivoted capwhereby the cap may be swung so as to cause the two sections of thehandle to operate simultaneously, or which may be swung so as to allowonlv one section of the handle to operate, when necessary.

.Vith these and other objects in view, this invention consists ofcertain novel combinations, constructions, and arrangements of parts, aswill be hereinafter fully described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawing :-Figure 1 is a side elevation of theratchet handle, a portion of the auger staff being broken away. Fig. 2is a fragmentary horizontal longitudinal section of the handle. Fig. 3is a fragmentary side elevation of the handle, the cap being shown insection. Fig. 4 is a section taken on the line 4% of Fig. 3, looking inthe direction of the arrow. Fig. 5 is a fragmentary side elevation of aportion of the device, illustrating the manner in which the springengages the pawl.

Referring to the accompanying drawing by numerals 1 indicates the augershaft which is adapted to be provided with the usual head or diggingportion 2. As above stated, the principal object of this device is toprovide this auger shaft with a ratchet handle so as to allow the shaftto be rotated for causing the head to dig into the ground by the rockingof the handle, this handle bemg so formed as to allow only one sectionthereof to operate when it is desired to dig a hole adjacent the sidewall of a structure, such. for instance, as a house, allowing theremaining section of the handle to reinain stationary. This handlecomprises a primary section 3 and an auxiliary section 1. The primarysection 3 is provided with parallel arms 5 between which the woodenstock 6 is adapted to fit. The bolts 7 may then be passed through thearms and the stock 6 so as to fixedlv retain the stock in position. Theinner end of this stock (5 bears upon the abutment wall 8 as clearlyshown in Fig. 3. This primary section is also provided with the parallelears 9 which lit between the ears 10 of the auxiliary section 4. Thisauxiliary section 4 is also provided with the parallel arms 11 for thepurpose of carrying the stock 12. These stocks (5 and 12 are adapted tobe grasped for the purpose of rocking the handle when desired. The stock12 is also retained in engagement with the arms 11 by means of the bolts13 passing through the arms 11 and the stock 12. The auger staff 1passes through the ears 9 and 10 for pivotally mounting the sections ofthe handle upon the shaft and allowing the same to freely swing whennecessary.

The ratchet wheel 11 is positioned upon the upper end of the staff 1 andis fixedlv retained in position by means of the transverse pin 15 whichpasses through this gear and also through the staff 1 as clearly shownin Fig. 2. This gear 14 is so positioned as to rest between the ears 9as clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 3 and therefore the two sections of thehandle are prevented from having a downward movement upon the shaftinasmuch as this gear will efficiently support the same. A pivot bolt 16is carried by the ears 9 and upon this pivot bolt 16 the pawl 17 ismounted. This pawl 17 is provided with a pocket 18 within which one endof the coiled spring 19 is positioned. The opposite end of this coiledspring 19 terminates in a straight end 20 fitting within the aperture 21of the wall 8. Therefore this spring will normally exert a pressure uponthe pawl 17 for urging the same in one direction and retaining this pawlin engagement with the ratchet 14.

From this construction, it will be seen that by swinging the primarysection to and fro, the pawl 17 may rotate the ratchet 14 which will inturn rotate the auger staff 1, and thus cause the head of the device todig into the ground. During this operation, it will of course be seenthat the auxiliary section 4 and the stock 12 will remain inoperative.For the purpose of causing the auxiliary section to assist in therotation of the staff 1, the primary section 3 is provided with a pairof spaced lugs 22 to which the sleeve of the cap 2-1 is pivotallymounted by means of the bolt 25. This cap 24 is provided with sideportions 26 so as to present a substantially U-shaped construction incross section as disclosed in Fig. 4.. This cap is adapted to be swungupon the bolt 25 so as to fit over the auxiliary section 4: as clearlyshown in Figs. 3 and 4. This operation w ill cause the auxiliary sectionto remain in alinement with the primary section and present asubstantially rigid one-piece handle. A. person may grip the ends of thestocks 6 and 12 and by swinging the same 'will cause the pawl 17 toimpart rotary motion to the staff 1 by means of the ratchet 14. \Vhenthe two sections of the handle are held in a rigid position, the deviceis adapted to be used in an obstructed place such, for instance, as afield when digging a post hole. \Vhen it is desired however to use thedevice adjacent the side wall of a house or a barn or adjacent anotherpost, the cap may be swung to the position illustrated in Fig. 1 atwhich time the auxiliary section of the handle will be released and willtherefore be inoperative. The primary section however may be swung andwill cause the pawl to operate the staff in the usual manner.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that a very simple andeflicient handle has been produced for post hole augers which comprise.a plurality of sections capable of being held in alinement with eachother to present a rigid one-piece structure for operating the auger,but which is so formed as to allow the cap thereof to be swung forcausing only one section of the handle to operate, whereby the auger maybe used adiacent another structure which would not allow the use of theentire handle.

What I claim is 1. In a ratchet handle for post hole augers, thecombination of an auger shaft, a handle pivotally mounted upon the upperend of said shaft, said handle comprising a primary section and anauxiliary section, means for rotating said auger shaft when said primarysection is swung in one direction, and a u shaped cap removahly fittingover the inner ends of said sections, whereby said handle may be swungas a unit.

2. In a ratchet handle for post hole augers, the combination of an augershaft, a handle pivotally mounted upon the upper end of said shaft, saidhandle comprising a primary section and an auxiliary section, means forrotating said auger shaft when said primary section is swung in onedirec tion, and a Ushaped cap pi votally mounted upon said primarysection, said cap being adapted to be swung over the inner ends of saidsections so as to embrace the side portions thereof, whereby said handlemay be swung as a unit.

In a device of the class lescribed, the combination of an anger shaft, ahandle pivotally mounted upon said auger shaft, said handle comprising aprimary section and an auxiliary section having bifurcated inner ends,the inner ends of said auxiliary section overlapping the inner ends ofsaid primary section, means carried within the bifurcated end of saidprimary section for imparting rotary motion to said auger shaft as theprimary section is swung in one direction, spaced lugs formed upon saidprimary section, an elongated cap pivotally secured to said lugs, saidcap being U-shaped in crosssection, said cap being adapted to be swungover the inner ends of said sections so as to embrace the side portionsthereof whereby said handle may be swung as a unit, said lugs beingadapted to hold the cap evenly when in operation.

In testimony whereof I hGI'QIlIJltO aflix my signature in presence oftwo witnesses.

WALTER sonar). \Vitnesses:

J. E. Anivnuno,

H. A. CHENEY.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C.

